Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and one of the most polarizing figures in British politics, joins Mathias Döpfner for a wide-ranging and explosive conversation.

Farage speaks about his close relationship with Donald Trump, the future of the transatlantic alliance, and why he believes the West must stand firm against Russia, China, and Iran. He defends Trump’s leadership style, discusses assassination attempts, and explains why he sees the former U.S. president as a model of political resilience.

At the center of the debate: migration. Farage outlines his controversial plan to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal migrants, warns of rising Islamism and antisemitism in the UK, and argues that mass migration is reshaping British society. He also explains why Brexit has not yet delivered economically - and what radical changes he would implement on energy, deregulation, and growth.

The conversation also covers the collapse of traditional parties, the rise of populism across Europe, comparisons to Germany and the AfD, and Farage’s own ambition to become Prime Minister.

Is Britain heading for a political earthquake? And can Farage really turn disruption into power?

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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At a time of political fragmentation and rising populism, Mathias Döpfner meets Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party and one of the most prominent voices of a new conservatism. They discuss the future of the centre-right, the failures of the past, and the battle over identity, migration, and economic growth.

Badenoch argues that conservatism must return to its core principles - personal responsibility, free markets, and strong national identity - while adapting to the challenges of the 21st century. She calls for an “economic revolution” to restore growth, stricter migration policies, and a clear break with what she sees as a culture of victimhood and “woke” ideology shaping Western societies.

She addresses tough questions: Why did traditional conservatives lose ground to populists? Has the West become complacent? Can meritocracy be restored - and welfare reformed? And how can open societies defend themselves against internal division and external threats?

A conversation about power, values, and the future of conservatism in a changing world.

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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At the Munich Security Conference, Mathias Döpfner meets Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah and a leading voice of the Iranian opposition. They discuss the future of Iran, the possibility of regime change, and the geopolitical consequences for Europe, the U.S., Israel, and the Middle East.

Pahlavi argues that diplomacy with Tehran has failed after decades of negotiations. In his view, only regime change can bring stability - led by the Iranian people, supported by targeted international action against the regime’s instruments of repression.

He addresses tough questions: What is his message to President Trump? Has Western appeasement strengthened the regime? Could a democratic Iran become a strategic ally of Israel and the West? And does he seek power himself - or only a transitional role toward free elections?

A conversation about revolution, freedom, and the future of Iran.

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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He shaped the sound of entire generations - from Diana Ross to David Bowie, from Madonna to Beyoncé.

Nile Rodgers is not just a producer; he is a phenomenon whose work has sold more than 750 million albums worldwide. Yet the man behind “Le Freak,” “Good Times,” Let’s Dance, Like a Virgin and Get Lucky has remained remarkably grounded, almost invisible behind the global icons he helped define.

In this episode of MD MEETS, Nile Rodgers opens up about the creative philosophy that made him one of the most influential musicians of all time. He explains why he plays on every record he produces, how “complex simplicity” became his signature, and why he still feels more like an ensemble musician than a superstar.

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world - and straining the planet’s power grid. In this episode, Mathias Döpfner talks with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about the explosive AI boom, the massive energy demands of data centers, and what it takes to keep innovation sustainable.

How can technology grow without running out of power - and will Europe keep pace in the new AI era?

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speaks with Mathias Döpfner about his meetings with Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, his vision for a new European order, and why he believes Brussels has turned a “peace project into a war project.”

He calls Trump “the man of peace,” and warns that continued escalation risks a third world war.

“The longer the war continues, the stronger Russia becomes.”

A revealing exchange about power, belief - and the uncertain future of the West.

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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In this new episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek for a focused conversation about Europe’s future - what it is, what it could be, and what it must become.

Ek argues that Europe’s challenge is not talent but throughput - too little R&D, too few scaled software companies, and a culture that stigmatizes risk. He points to a simple lever with outsized impact: channel even 1 percent of Europe’s vast savings into innovation, and the continent could double its venture firepower and unlock a new generation of builders. Policy and power matter, too. Energy costs are a brake on competitiveness, while smart regulation in fintech shows where Europe can lead. Ek makes the case for investing in AI and new defense technologies that raise deterrence at lower cost to human life - and for a more confident Europe that can defend itself while deepening the transatlantic alliance.

Can Europe turn world-class talent into world-class scale? And will the next decade be the moment when Europe stops admiring its past and starts building its future?

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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In this third episode of MD MEETS, Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner sits down with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi for a sweeping conversation that moves from the future of transportation to the forces that shape human destiny.

Khosrowshahi reflects on a world in motion - where cars drive themselves, cities breathe easier, and mobility becomes a shared experience rather than a private luxury. He speaks about Uber’s bold bet on electric and autonomous vehicles, air taxis, and delivery drones, painting a vision of cities where movement is frictionless and freedom is redefined.

But the discussion turns deeply personal when Khosrowshahi recounts his journey from Tehran to America after the Iranian Revolution - an immigrant’s story of loss, gratitude, and second chances. He shares his conflicted emotions about his homeland, the lessons of humility from his father, and how those values shaped his leadership through controversy and change.

From artificial intelligence to immigration, from the loneliness of power to the humility of listening, this conversation explores what it means to move - not just through space, but through life itself.

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MD MEETS is a podcast of Axel Springer SE. Produced by Daniel van Moll. All rights reserved

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